Grapevine

U-20 W’CUP: Falconets set for Australia friendly

Coach Chris Danjuma and his crew, which now includes fitness trainer Chima Michael, have been taking the Falconets on drills since Monday, in preparation for the clash with the Aussies on Friday in particular and for the World Cup finals generally.

The clash with the girls from Down Under has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Colombia time (4 p.m. Nigeria time) on Friday at the Club Banco de la República in Bogota. NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon, has assured thenff.com that all arrangements have been concluded for the encounter.

Danjuma’s squad from the qualifiers is now boosted by the presence of a number of players who have seen action with the Nigeria senior team, the Super Falcons, including defenders Jumoke Alani, Rofiat Imuran, and Comfort Folorunsho, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, and Flourish Sabastine.

Folorunsho and Ajakaye were in the Nigeria U17 squad that finished in third place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago. Other members of that squad also with the Falconets in Colombia are goalkeeper Faith Omilana and forward Aminat Omowunmi Bello.

While the above-named players constitute the spine of the team, exciting talents like defender Shukurat Oladipo, Chioma Olise, captain Oluchi Ohaegbulam, and forward Juliet Akekoromowei provide the basis for high expectations.